His warm hands tinged with a chilled edge from the breeze danced across my cheekbones. And If there was such a thing as slow-motion blinking, I was doing that right now. I could see his lips move. Hear the words. But my brain couldn't process it.

Adam wanted to leave his life in Lockwood to come here and be with me.

In New York—with me!

I nearly caved like a house of cards and yanked him forward to plant my mouth on his.

I didn't though—no, I stayed perfectly still, because I'd been hasty and impulsive back in Lockwood and where had that gotten me? Nowhere, well, maybe a trip to the nearest heartbreak theme park. And I sure as hell wasn't planning on renewing my season pass.

But this, what he was sayin' right now, had my mind thinking all sorts of crazy things, and most of them were muddled and insubstantial as I tried to figure out what all this meant.

He'd travelled cross-county to come see me. He'd set up this amazing experience today... for me. And he was saying all the right things... mostly.

And by mostly I meant it wasn't some undying declaration of love like I'd read about in so many of my books over the years. No, this was real and I could with all honesty say I felt a change in him, almost as if the earth had shifted beneath our feet.

It was both scary and exciting.

But was it enough?

And I couldn't help the shameful thoughts of if he was given a choice between me and his wife, Emma. Who would he choose?

I know, dumb right? But the thoughts was still there. And there was only one sure-fire way to find out.

"When I asked you back at the hospital if you were willing to open up your heart to me." He nodded. "That look you gave me said more than any words could. What's changed in this short amount of time?"

He answered straight off the bat—no hesitation.

"Losing you," he shuffled closer, adding, "and I thought I had to choose between you and Emma."

Shit, could he read my mind? "I never asked you to choose, Adam."

"I know I'm smart, Riley." He shook his head. "But sometimes I'm not that bright." He dropped his hands to rest on each of his thighs. "I know it makes little sense and after conversations with Chris, Danny, hell, even your Nana Em, I can see now I don't have to choose."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll be honest with you, Riley. I kept thinking I might wake up and all I would see was her instead of you." He looked off into the distance, his eyes a little lost before they came back to me. "I know it sounds crazy."

I swallowed hard and blinked back tears. "No, not crazy." I had the same worries.

"But then I realised I couldn't choose one over the other. I would never choose between you. You're both in here." He tapped his chest. "It was a sick game going on inside here." Moving his hand, he pointed to his head. "See, not that bright." He half smiled. "But it was all in my head. When I look at you, I never see Emma and thankfully my heart recognised what I needed before my thick head caught up."

He placed his hand over his heart. "My heart's ready Riley, and I'm letting it take the lead."

Heat soaked into my skin as his words did crazy things to my insides. They were the words I'd wanted—no, needed to hear and yet I felt kinda stupid that I'd somehow assumed this was a competition with his dead wife. "I'm never gonna ask you to forget Emma."

"I know that now." He sighed. "I thought I would have to let her go to be with you, and I felt guilty."

"Emma will always be a part of you. I get that. And you shouldn't be afraid to talk about her. You can share with me as much or as little as you want because all's I ever wanted was equal heart rights." I let a smile slip.

"I know and I won't forget Emma." Certainty flickered in his eyes. "I don't want you to ever think I'm trying to replace her with you. Because I'm not. I'm finally in a better place to move on. And if I'm not too late—I"m hoping that's with you."

This was a lot to take in. Half of me... hell, the majority of me was jumping for joy. But ... "What about the future, Adam?"

"The future?"

Children. I knew in my heart I couldn't go my whole life without children in that future. But that question aside... for now. My mouth opened and out popped the word.

"Age."

He groaned.

"I'll clarify—my age." Not his.

Swearing under his breath. "I only think about it when you or someone reminds me." He grimaced.

"No matter where we go from here, Adam, there will always be the same amount of years between us. It can't be an issue."

I was silently begging him to tell me it didn't worry him. "Does it bother you, Adam?"

He took his sweet time before answering. "Not as much as it should."

Phew... that was good enough for me. "It doesn't bother me at all, just in case you're wondering."

Which left with my last question, the deal breaker. "Children, Adam." I nervously fiddled with the flask lid. "I want them, and not just one. It's something I can't sacrifice."

I hadn't wanted to phrase it like an ultimatum—but there was no way around it.

"I honestly thought I'd never have children, although I see Danny as my son. But since you... us, losing Bean. I've been thinking about them... a lot."

I didn't do a good job at hiding my surprise and my heart kicked up a beat.

A smile pulled at his lips. "I see families...their children and I wonder what ours would look like." His smile widened. "They're always a mini version of you."

My smile matched his. "Mine were always a mini version of you, too."

We both laughed before the silence expanded around us again.

"Listen Riley, I'm not asking that you decide today. Just the chance to let me show you I'm all in. I want a future with you."

I curbed every ounce of excitement, stopping short of launching myself on him. "When are you headin' back to Lockwood?"

"I'm back at work on Monday, but I'd like to see you tomorrow before I head back. If you're up for it—if you're free?"

I wanted to spend as much time as possible with him.

"Let me take you on dates." He took hold of my hand. "Romance you."

I blinked, and my jaw slackened. "Romance me? " Was he serious? "You want to romance me?" I stopped my eager smile from becoming a full on cheesy grin.

"I do, and Connor will no doubt tell you this." He looked sheepish. "I asked his advice on how to win you back."

"You did?" My smile practically split my face in two.

"Yes, he gave me a list of books I had to read and told me how much you missed riding."

I blinked and blinked again and now that I thought about it. All my books had the main character winning over the girl with big, huge grand gestures and wasn't him willing to move his life to be here with me, a grand gesture?

But despite all that and everything he was saying, I still felt a small niggle. "So I don't have to decide today?"

"No. Take all the time you need."

"And you want to date?" I knew I was repeating myself, but honestly, it seemed too good to be true and from my experience, good things tended to avoid me.

"Yes. Dinners. Movies... spending more time here—riding." He shifted on the log and I was sure his ass was hurting from riding. "Whatever you want, Riley." He looked sincere and my heart squeezed. "Let me give it to you."

Second by second the crazy swell of hope inside me wanted to believe.

He gently stroked over my knuckle. "Let me put it this way. Can we start over? As if we're strangers again?"

I smiled at the idea.

Adam cleared his throat. "Give me another chance and I'll create new memories for you... with you."

He was making this harder and harder to find reasons not to say yes. But I held back my answer.

"I'm going to prove to you that I can look after your heart and I'm worthy of holding onto it." He smiled, edging back. "And that's all I'm going to say. Take your time."

I had to admit it was nice to not feel pressured. I'd been foolish too many times in the past. This time if Adam was the one, then he would wait for me.

"You ready to ride on?" he asked in earnest.

I was. But I was also pretty sure he wasn't looking forward to getting back on Betsy. "Is your ass ready?" I grinned.

He leaned over slightly and rubbed his butt, clenching his teeth. "I'm not sure I'll be able to sit right for a week."

"C'mon, let's head back."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. "I'm looking forward to giving my boy 'ere." I flicked my head in Blue's direction. "A rub down."

"Lucky horse," he grumbled, rising from the log. Offering out his hand, I caught the sparkle in his eyes.

Grabbing on, he hauled me up. "I'm having a great time, Adam." I smiled up at him. "Thank you."

"Me too, Riley," he replied, squeezing my hand.

The rest of the day flew by and I couldn't remember the last time I'd smiled this much. So much so that my jaw ached something rotten.

By the end of the day I was shattered and every muscle complained. But you wouldn't hear me moaning, having had an amazing day being with Adam, riding, hell even mucking out was fun and it made me realise how much I missed bein' around horses.

And the fun didn't end there because on the ride back home, we stopped at a roadside diner where we ate dinner and chatted non-stop. He even shared childhood stories, where I learned about his parents and grandparents. It felt like he was finally allowing me to see him, more of him.

And now, although it was still relatively early, we arrived back at my apartment. Adam parked his hire car. He unclipped his seatbelt, and I reached for the door release. "Wait," he said and was out of the car, heading around to my side opening my door and offering me his hand—which I happily accepted with a smile.

Could this day be any more perfect?

We climbed the four steps to the door of my apartment block. I turned to face him. "I'm good from here, Adam."

His eyebrows nudged together. "Let me walk you up. I'm old-fashioned like that." He arched and expectant brow. "Humour me."

It was one of the things I liked about Adam—like nothing was too much and my cheeks heated with the sweet gesture.

Heading inside my block, Adam kept hold of my hand, looking around. The building had seen better days and was in dire need of a lick of paint. "Sorry this building is old and pre-dates the discovery of an elevator." I giggled.

He shrugged. "Stairs are good with me."

I wasn't so sure he was telling the truth. First time horse-riding can take a bit of getting used to . "I reckon your ass is sore enough from all that riding." I pointed toward the stairs. "Making you climb those might be the final straw and you wont be able to sit down for a week!"

"I'll take my chances." He smiled and pulled me toward the stairs.

"You like living here?" he asked as we took our time heading up.

"Well, to be honest, if there was such an award for the worst landlord, then mine would win by a mile."

"He doesn't do his job?" A note of suspicion crept into his voice.

"It's an old building, so the pipes, water heaters, well let's just say they've seen better days."

"Why don't you move?" he asked as if it was that easy to find a half decent apartment on my salary.

"Surprisingly, no." I said, laying on the sarcasm a little thick. "It has magnificent views and so much space I practically don't know what to do with it all." My view comprised a moss-covered wall and I doubt you could swing a cat.

"Is it a safe neighbourhood... here?" he asked.

I grimaced. "There have been quite a few recent break-ins, but thankfully none in this building."

Side-glancing, I could see he wasn't happy with my answer and I expected him to lecture me, but he sucked in a deep breath and kept quiet.

Arriving on the top floor, we walked down the narrow hallway to my door. Here we are." I wasn't sure if I should ask him in—although wouldn't it be the polite thing to do? "Do you want to come in?" Hitching a thumb over my shoulder.

Adam shook his head. "No, not tonight. I'm trying to be a gentleman." He moved closer, and I tipped my head up.

I couldn't say I wasn't disappointed. "I've had a brilliant time today, Adam. Thank you."

"No, thank you Riley. You've given me more than I deserve."

I held my breath, expecting him—no wanting him to kiss me.

"Can I kiss you Riley?"

My entire body fired up as I nodded my answer.

He cupped my face in his hands, and his thumbs brushed softly, tracing my cheeks. "I wish I didn't have to go."

Unable to form a reply, his lips found mine. And it wasn't a brushing of lips or a token peck of affection. Hell no, it was an all out amnesia-inducing kiss of all kisses. He covered my mouth and owned it. His hands slid either side of my head, into my hair, and I let my hands travel up his arms and gripped on for dear life.

My knees went weak and my heart was ready to burst out of my chest... alien style.

And then it was over. And damn, if I didn't just want to pull his lips on mine again.

I drew in a ragged breath, and his smile lit up my world.

"Can I see you tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yes." It was an easy answer.

Another kiss and then I watched him walk away, biting on my lip to make sure I didn't call out his name and ask him to stay.

Heading inside, I closed and locked my door. Performing a little twirl I leaned up against it, sighing.

Hold up... I sniffed and realised the smell was coming from me. Horses. But I didn't care one bit about being stinky as I smiled again, letting my finger trace across my bottom lip, sighing.

Shower, Riley Jo.

Skipping to the bathroom, I stripped off and happily climbed into the tiny shower cubicle, flipped the lever. I didn't even grumble at the lack-lustre stream of water coming from the shower head. I didn't care. Nothing was going to dampen my mood.

Finishing up as quick as I could before the water either ran dry or cooled, I stepped out and reached for the towels, wrapping one around my head and the other around my body.

My phone pinged. It was a message from Adam, it read: Tomorrow, will you let me show you New York?

I didn't have a clue what he meant. I lived here. Wouldn't it be the other way around?

I grinned, typing out my reply: ...I think I pretty much know my way around, doctor. Throwing in a winky face.

Let me surprise you, he replied.

Well, wasn't that cryptic? Ah-huh, can't wait.

My phone pinged again. Sleep well Riley, sweet dreams.

I think I was gonna sleep better than I had in weeks.

Night Adam. I replied, feeling happier than I thought possible and as my nana always said, there was no such thing as too much happiness.